Molecular mechanisms underlying the oncogenic and tumor-suppressive roles of ZHX2 in cancers

Abstract

The transcription factor ZHX2 exerts paradoxical roles in cancer, acting as either an oncogene or tumor suppressor in a context-dependent manner. This duality stems from ZHX2’s regulation of key processes including cell cycle, apoptosis, EMT, stemness, and metabolism. Consequently, ZHX2 may impacts tumor cell growth, migration, and immune evasion, positioning it as a promising therapeutic target. This short communication synthesizes current understanding of ZHX2’s molecular structure, transcriptional regulation, and its critical modulation of oncogenic and tumor-suppressive pathways across various cancers. We highlight its potential utility as a prognostic biomarker and its implications for precision medicine, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. However, translating ZHX2-targeting strategies faces significant hurdles, particularly concerning tissue-specific restoration and integration with existing treatments. Future research should prioritize overcoming these barriers and exploring ZHX2’s epigenetic regulatory potential.